Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

Well...this was the 'Rien' day: a killer indeed! Unfortunately not my kind of killer: I took Alfarom's advice and went VERY light on the trigger; nevertheless the leather kept on dominating the atmosphere all day long. I showered it off as soon as I was home and sprayed myself with Éloge du Traître...which will not be my choice either: too Yatagan! Two more possibillities less! Tomorrow I will make my final choice: exciting!

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

Originally Posted by alfarom

At this point I guess your not an ELDO type of guy

I guess you're right!
I've smelled them all and wore a couple, but I did not find the positive shocking surprise I was looking for.
There are some nice ones, some smell too female for my likes, one smelled like a fragrance I already have(Éloge du Traître = Yatagan), and the rest did not escape from mediocrity. So I decided to spend my voucher on one of the nicer ones: Je Suis Un Homme. Thank you all for your nice and helpful contributions!

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

I'm late to this thread, but would like to contribute my two cents:
I also got the sample pack and decided on redeeming the voucher on Noël Au Balcon, a delicious Christmassy spice concoction à la Burberry London or Ambre Narguilé, with an added bonus of candle wax.
Others I love: the ultra strange and alluring Charogne (floral cinnamon bubblegum with a hint of melting plastic), Fat Electrician (caramel-burnt vetiver) and Like This (orange-coloured sweetness).
Haven't tried Fils de Dieu, which is indeed the one formerly known as Philippine Houseboy. Something tells me I may like this one, being crazy about Southeast Asian food as I am.

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

Originally Posted by Trauerkraut

I guess you're right!
I've smelled them all and wore a couple, but I did not find the positive shocking surprise I was looking for.
There are some nice ones, some smell too female for my likes, one smelled like a fragrance I already have(Éloge du Traître = Yatagan), and the rest did not escape from mediocrity. So I decided to spend my voucher on one of the nicer ones: Je Suis Un Homme. Thank you all for your nice and helpful contributions!

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

Originally Posted by Alityke

ELdO fragrances are unusual. I'm ambivalent about the promo material. Not sure it helps.
I think Alfarom is right, you either like the ELdO style or you don't. I guess that's true of all houses in a way but ELdO tend to be one of the more polarizing

...I like the style! Unfortunately the product does not match it's design. When you start a new concept, you should do that all the way: Pop Art packaging, advertisement, marketing for Pop-Art product. ELdO sells 'normal' product. The only really different fragrance of ELdO is Sécrétions Magnifiques...the rest could be sold by any perfume house. Pity!

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

I'm in the exact same position as OP and am currently working my way through the samples. Tom of Finland, Eloge du Traitre, Je Suis une Homme and Fat Electrician are in the running so far and I'm sampling Rien now. I too have failed to hit on a five star mind-blower yet but there's still time to revisit a few more before I cash in my voucher.

Oh and I too can vouch for the repugnance of Secretions Magnifique! Salt, metal and flowery semen. Not pleasant at all.

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

The Afternoon of a Faun and Malaise of the 70's (originally to be called Sex Pistols) are 2 new ones you may like.
Rien is as hard as nails -- I admire it but don't wear.
V&T is nice -- Bendelerious is fabulous and fun, but feminine -- I enjoyed wearing Je Suis un Homme.Rossy de Palma is one of the best 'roses' I know
There are some very good fragrances in the line, but are easily dismissed, which in part is of their own making due to the gimmicky nature of the marketing.

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

I really admire this line. I find several of their scents to be an actual pleasure to wear. Eloge du Traitre may be my favorite (and I do find it to have more interesting chypre-like topnotes than Yatagan and so actually easier to wear regularly) but I also really like Like This and Jasmine et Cigaratte. Eloge du Traitre layered with Rossy di Palma is maybe my favorite rose scent.

'...And you'll carry me down on your dancing
To the pools that you lift on your wrist...'

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

I'm about a third of the way down my bottle. They still have it so I might just get another and leave it sealed. I sampled Malaise of the 1970's yesterday and as you might imagine, my eyes lit up when I sniffed a VERY familiar smell!

Re: The Best of État Libre d'Orange

Certain retailers offer the full set of 1.5ml samples of all 25 (as was) ELdO fragrances for £25, which includes a voucher for £25 off a full size bottle purchase. I got one for Christmas! It's not a cofret or a presentation box or anything, just a bag of individually bagged samples with a little fold-out info card in each one.